Fairfield police seize more than 100 bags of bath salts

FAIRFIELD, Maine — Police in this Somerset County town reportedly seized 165 packages of the drug bath salts from a local business Tuesday morning, and a man was subsequently charged with unlawful trafficking in the drug, according to police.

John Linscott, 59, is facing drug charges after search warrants were issued at Bargains ‘R’ Us, a shop operated by Linscott and Sharon Butler, 63, along with Butler’s Ohio Hill Road residence, according to Fairfield Police Chief John Emery.

Bath salts, a designer drug that became illegal in Maine at the beginning of July, typically contains mephedrone or methylenedioxyprovalerone, also known as MDPV.

Emery said the drugs were found underneath the seat compartment of a scooter in Linscott’s shop, and the search of Butler’s residence revealed no contraband.

“What we did find at the residence were some of the property that have come through [Linscott’s] store as well as cash,” said Emery.

Officers from the Fairfield and Skowhegan Police Departments, along with Somerset County Sheriff’s Deputies, took part in the search.

Emery said the estimation of the street value of the bath salts is $12,000.

Butler was not charged with any crime, but Emery wouldn’t rule out that she could face charges as the investigation continues.

Linscott has been bailed on $1,000 unsecured bond, and is due in court in October.

Linscott has been in trouble before, as he served a two-month sentence in 2004 for selling baseball caps with counterfeit Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees logos, along with sunglasses and watches.